In India, the fiscal year is from April 1st to March 31st every year. As a result, the 31st of March is a critical deadline for meeting significant financial obligations. The mercantile system, also known as the accrual basis of accounting, requires transactions to be recorded when they occur, regardless of when the cash is exchanged. This means that transactions are recognized when revenue is earned and expenses are incurred, rather than when the cash is received or paid out. For professionals who primarily use the cash system of accounting, which involves recording transactions based on actual receipts and payments, the financial year-end due date of March 31st is equally important, as explained below

1. Important activities every
businessman should complete
before 31st March
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2. Important Things to do before financial Year End
In India, the fiscal year is from April 1st to March 31st every year. As a result, the 31st of March is a
critical deadline for meeting significant financial obligations.
The mercantile system, also known as the accrual basis of accounting, requires transactions to be
recorded when they occur, regardless of when the cash is exchanged. This means that transactions
are recognized when revenue is earned and expenses are incurred, rather than when the cash is
received or paid out. For professionals who primarily use the cash system of accounting, which
involves recording transactions based on actual receipts and payments, the financial year-end due
date of March 31st is equally important, as explained below.

3. 1. Calculate Payable Advance Tax
The "pay as you earn" (PAYE) principle is a method of income tax collection where employers
deduct tax from employees' paychecks and remit it to the government on their behalf. This system
ensures that taxes are collected regularly throughout the year rather than in a lump sum at the
end. Therefore, during the fiscal year from 1st April 2017 to 31st March 2018, advance income tax
was payable on or before 15th June 2017, 15th September 2017, 15th December 2017, and 15th
March 2018. If an assessed does not pay at least 90% of his tax payable in advance on or before
March 31, 2018, interest will start to accrue from April 1st, 2018 until the month of payment.
As a result, an assessed should estimate his taxable income as accurately as possible, calculate his
tax liability, and deduct the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) to arrive at the total advance tax
payable, which must be paid by March 31st. It is necessary that the advance tax paid be credited to
the central government's account before March 31st, and that the challan serial number be
received by March 31st or earlier. A mere deposit before the 31st of March is insufficient.

4. 2. Make Investments to Save Tax
Investing to save taxes can be a smart financial strategy, but it‘
essential to consider your individual financial situation, goals,
and risk tolerance before making any investment decisions.
Retirement Accounts: Contributing to retirement accounts
such as 401(k), Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), or
similar plans can provide tax benefits. Additionally, earnings
within these accounts typically grow tax-deferred until
withdrawal, potentially allowing your investments to grow
faster.

5. 3. Manage Physical Inventory
Take a physical inventory of raw materials, work in progress, finished goods, stores and
spares, loose tools, and consumables as of March 31st. Also, compile information on its
market value as of March 31st, which will be required at the time of valuation for inclusion
in the Balance Sheet as of March 31st.

6. 4. Purchase Of Fixed Assets For Business
Purchase an asset to claim depreciation (at half
the specified rate). If a tangible or intangible fixed
asset was purchased for business purposes during
the previous year and is used for business or
profession for 180 days or more, depreciation will
be allowed at the percentage specified for that
type of asset.

7. 5. Find out Capital Gains
If an assessed has taxable capital gains during the fiscal year 2017-18, he can try to identify his capital
assets, particularly shares, mutual funds, debentures, and so on, that if sold during the fiscal year
would result in a capital loss. He can sell such assets on or before March 31, 2018 and book a capital
loss, which will help to offset the taxable capital gain and, as a result, reduce or nullify the capital
gains tax.
6. Clean-up Your Loan Accounts
Cleaning up your loan accounts involves several steps to ensure that they are well-organized, up-to-
date, and manageable.
Review Your Loan Documents: Start by gathering all your loan documents, including statements,
contracts, and correspondence from your lenders. Review them carefully to understand the terms,
interest rates, repayment schedules, and any other important details.
Credit Report: Review it to ensure that all your loan accounts are accurately reported and there are
no errors or discrepancies.

8. 7. Manage Professional Income & Expenses
In professions that use the cash accounting system, business expenses can only be
deducted if they are paid on or before March 31st. As a result, all business expenses for
the period ending March 31st should be paid on or before that date.
Professional Receipts: For professionals who use cash accounting systems, deposit all
professional receipts in a bank account by March 31, 2018, rather than deferring them to
the following fiscal year. This is because the payer must have deducted TDS on the same
and will file a TDS Return with the amount paid to you and the corresponding TDS.

9. 8. File your income tax return
The 31st of March is the deadline for filing pending income tax returns for the
previous fiscal year. It is critical to keep your income tax returns up to date.
9. Calculate GST turnover
Businesses that have not yet reached the GST registration limit of Rs.20 lakh should
keep track of their turnover. The total turnover up to March 31st is to be calculated in
order to determine important aspects such as the applicability of GST registration,
eligibility to opt for the Composition Scheme, and the applicability of filing specific
returns.

10. 10. Reconcile GST ledgers
GST payments are made either through tax credit or challan payments. Taxpayers must
reconcile the Cash Ledger, Credit Ledger, and Liability Ledger on the GSTN portal with their
books of account. All entries should be submitted by the end of the year. Furthermore, debit
and credit notes, rate differentials, discounts, and so on should all be reconciled.

11. Do you have any questions?
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